International design researchers and policymakers will join together at a forum next month between Icograda and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The meeting, hosted by The Seoul Design Foundation (SDF) and the Seoul Design Center (SDC), will discuss survey results and examine opportunities for future development in design.

The World Design Survey addresses four questions:

1. What are the structures/systems that define the design economy and what changes could lead to the recognition and promotion of design's contribution to the overall economy in the long term?

2. Who are the participants in the design economy, what are their numbers and what is needed by particular populations, such as professional design associations, design promotional agencies, design management consultancies and design educators to support their successful participation in the long term?

3. How can approaches to governance as well as particular programs, services and initiatives strategically contribute to the enduring growth of capacity within the design economy to foster and promote design's contributions in the long term?

4. How does design contribute to socio-cultural development?

"Seoul's support of this phase of the World Design Survey has mobilized an international group of collaborators and formed new networks which will have lasting benefits. One of the key challenges identified throughout the research has been the need for international collaboration in creating a framework for measuring design's contribution," said Russell Kennedy, Icograda President. His ambition is to expand on the information available at a city or state level, to create truly national profiles.

The World Design Survey™ will become an ongoing, online international resource not only for design organizations internationally, but also for government, industry, universities and research institutes seeking to understand the scope of activity in the design sector and its potential to address global challenges.